THUNDER BAY -- The Fort William First Nation has created a unique on-reserve project that provides adult learners with a Grade 12 education, as well as career planning, pre-employment and life skills workshops.
Staff, students and locals gathered for the announcement of the Niigaanaabda adult education centre.
The project will give adult learners the second chance that they need to get their education.
Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins said this is absolutely a second chance, possible a third and maybe a fourth chance.
“I’ve had some people in this community for three or four times,” Collins said.
“They never give up and that’s determination to get their education, to create a positive lifestyle for themselves and their families.”
NAADMAAD consulting services Vernon Ogima said for most of the participants that they’ve had in other communities have had lots of training.
“They have all these certificates, but they don’t have Grade 12,” Ogima said.
“A lot of them weren’t able to apply for the job that they were being trained for, so this is going to give them the opportunity to use those skills and apply for those jobs.”
In order to improve access to the program for the learner, the team is providing a wide range of flexibility in scheduling and workshop attendance.
Whatever their requirements, organizers say they are working to fit the needs of the students.
(TBT News)
